The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-20
STEVENSON TOMBSTONE
CHICAGO'S BRIBE-TAKERS.
One of the Gang Disappears, and 1t Is Thought
His Example Will Be Followed by Others.

MCHIcAGo, Aug. 19-The announcement this
morning, that Henry Sheridan is mysteriously
missing is believed be the first of a series of
sensational demon ements in connection with @
coming wholesale prosecution of brioe-t taking e
members of the Chicago Board of Aldermen.
Sheridan was the private secretary and coniden-
tial man Of Dwight K. Tripp, ex-general man
ager of the Chicago Sectional Under ground
Electric Company. concern which secured, at
practically no expense. virtual monopoly of
the underground wire conduit rights in all the
streets of the city-a franchise enormous
ly valuable, aud now vested in a still
greater monopoly, the so-called gas trust. Sher-
idan's disappearance is understood TO be the out
come of work begun several months ago, when
thescitizens' association employed a number of
lawyers and doctors to search for definite evil
dence against the Council ring that bad long
and so brazenly used official position for private
profit A great m ass of evidence has been col
lecsed, and one of the first witnesses to be called
before the grand jury was Sheridan. He has
not been since Wednesday, and report has
it that he is being secreted by the au-
thorities. to be produced when wanted as
informer. Mic Schneider produced,
and his counterpart, butcher Bipper
Sheridan intrusted with many delicate mis-
sons and knew almost as much as his employer,
Trip. about the deals and schemes by which
the Electric company secured it's monopoly.
Trip himself was fine worker of more than
ordinary ability. and is said to have acted as
agent at the State capital for the notorious alien
landlord Scully. who was recently legislated
against. Trip is now in England endeavoring
to float among British capitalists a gigantic land
and mining scheme from Arizona When Tripp
left this mission, Sheridan lost his
position. and being improvident, somewhat
dissipated, and talkative when in
liquor. has easily fallen into the hands of the
citizens associations emissaries. Among
other things, Sheridan gave the startling infor
nation that $500, 900 of the stock Of the compa
ny distributed to members of the City
Council 20 secure the passage OF one franchise.
There is bare possibility that Sheridan is not
in custody. but has escaped the country. Even
should this prove true, the citizens association
has now the entering wedge. Other deals are
under investigation. It is asserted positively
that pay dirt" has been struck in regard to the
street-car franchises obtained by Charles T.
Yerkes and that inquiries in his direction are
being prosecuted with vigor.
This evenings Journal says: sit is regarded
not little singular that at this interesting
epoch in our official history SO many prominent
persons, who must certainly have cognizance of
the transactions mentioned, have taken leave Of
absence. and that some of them propose to re-
main away probably until the limitation, with
which any investigation can only ex-
tend. expires Some have gone, and
neiehbor Canada this time, but to
distant Europe, perhaps around the world.
Attention Is called to the peculiar fact that w.
J. McGarigle. the missing convicted boodier.
was at one time secretary of this very electric
underground company. There is no doubt that
Mr.. Trip went to Europe mainly because he
became impressed with the way in which the
McGarigle. and other Doodle being
prosecuted. and knew that Sheridan might
squeal at any time on him and on the aldermen
he is accused OF having bribed. It is known that
it is Trips intention to remain the other side
of the water until such time the statue
of limitations permits him to return.
Besides Sheridan, it is stated that a named
Fuller. whom Trip seems to have tricked out
of stock, is also ready to go on the stand and
give evidence in the case, and it is stated that
it was through him the information regarding
this matter became public. Trip had go be-
tween. He dealt directly with the aldermen,
but how much he gave each one he and they
only know. One thing is certain: Aldermen
generally supposed to be above suspicion un-
doubtedv implicated. and were bribed, either
with cash or blocks of stock"